Business at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Certificate · Business/Commerce, General

Virginia Commonwealth University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 20,797 students enrolled in Richmond, VA.

Program Analysis

At $28,747 per year, Business graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn below the $36,982 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 18.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Business graduates.

The $23,250 debt-to-$28,747 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #117 out of 130 programs, Virginia Commonwealth University's financial outcomes for Business trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
59
Score
61
High End
Earnings $28,747/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$301K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
18.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$16,458
Out-of-state: $39,042
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Business careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering business & office.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Commonwealth University's Business program score?
At 59/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Business graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University?
Our scenarios model 46% of Business tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Virginia Commonwealth University's 59/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Why are Business earnings lower at Virginia Commonwealth University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business graduates?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Business career paths, including Health Information Management Business Analyst. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
How many job openings are there for Business graduates?
The career paths mapped to Business have roughly 832,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →